are stairs are pretty steep and the hallway upstairs is very narrow, at this point in time I dont even allow him upstairs with out constant supervision, Im wondering if a gate at the top and/or bottom would be safer or possibly more dangerous? any opinions?
2007-02-15 08:57:39 · 14 answers · asked by funfeelinfroggy 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
my main concern with the top is what if he manges to get it undone or climb over? anyone have this happen? my little man is just very very busy
2007-02-15 09:04:50 · update #1
I would just put one at the bottom. If you're always upstairs with him, then one at the top isn't necessary if you make sure you're right there with him all the time. What's worrisome about a gate at the top is that he'll see it as an obstacle that needs mastering (i.e. how do I get over this thing? Or can I push this thing over? Or how does this thing work?) and it'll draw his attention. More so than if there just wasn't anything there. And you definitely don't want him pushing on it or something and making it fall over. When I went to visit my inlaws they have a basement and we put a gate at the top of the stairs leading down because they were right in the main sitting area where we spend most of our time, but I asked everyone to not let my son see them going downstairs or make a big deal about being down there because I didn't want him getting curious and trying to break through the gate. He wasn't even allowed to get near it without one of us being right there with him. I wouldn't trust the gate to keep him from falling.
In my opinion, the best thing to do is to start teaching your son how to go down stairs safely (on his belly, backwards). Spend some time with him on the stairs every day, and when he does it correctly, give him lots of praise and maybe a little treat (like goldfish snacks or something). Stairs won't be such a scary thing once he learns how to be safe on them, although you'll always have to be nearby and watching until he's much older. My son was able to get down stairs safely around 14 months, but it took practice.
I completely understand about busy and curious little boys who are into everything, my son is almost 3 and it doesn't get any better! He's just finding more things to get into (like he's really into figuring out how things work so he wants to take EVERYTHING apart). It's frustrating sometimes, but I'd much rather him be inquisitive and like learning than a couch potato.
Good luck and enjoy it!
2007-02-15 09:19:59 · answer #1 · answered by A W 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We have a permanent gate installed at the bottom of our stairs (drilled into the wall from hinges on one side) and at the top of the stairs there is a removable gate that we use when we are all upstairs. My youngest is quite the monkey and very busy as well and we never had a problem with the gate at the top of the stairs. There was no way for her to climb on it, we made sure that there was never anything near the top of the stairs that could enable her to think that it was a step stool or ladder.
We also have very steep stairs (we've got 2 sets) and this worked really well for us with all 3 of our girls. Now that my youngest is 2 we just keep the gate shut at the bottom of the stairs so I can keep an eye on her but she does know how to go up and down alone.
Hope this is helpful :)
2007-02-15 14:40:02 · answer #2 · answered by Michelle 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would put one both places. The one at the top of the stairs should be hardware mounted (screwed into the wall). That way he can't push it over and fall down. The one at the bottom can be pressure mounted.
If you really never let him out of arms reach upstairs, then you can probably eliminate the top one, but I would at least put one at the bottom. The one at the bottom will keep him from going up a few stairs and falling down and it will keep him from going upstairs by himself.
2007-02-15 12:31:15 · answer #3 · answered by O_mom 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He's going to end up climbing the stairs if he hasn't started doing so already. It may be smart to put a gate at the top and at the bottom of the stairs.
Good luck!
2007-02-15 09:03:48 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
We just have one at the bottom because that is where we spend all of our waking hours. I do plan on getting one for upstairs too, but not yet. Our baby just turned a year too, and his room is upstairs. When he gets a little older, that second gate will need to be there.
2007-02-15 09:03:20 · answer #5 · answered by BossMama 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you don't allow him up there then i'd say bottom, that way he can't climb the stairs and then fall down. you can get the kind that you can put anywhere so if he is upstairs just bring it up with you and put it at the top.
2007-02-15 09:01:40 · answer #6 · answered by island_chick21 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Top and bottom. If you have one at the top then that keeps him from falling down of course, but if you don't have one at the bottom too then there is nothing stopping him from climbing up the stairs and falling.
2007-02-15 09:01:14 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
just at the bottom of the stairs should be fine, since you say the child is "not allowed upstairs without constant supervision"
2007-02-15 09:01:12 · answer #8 · answered by sknymnie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Both top and bottom. Better to be safe than sorry. If your 1yr old was anything like my 2 then they are little Houdini's not matter how much of an eye you have on them.
2007-02-15 09:13:42 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
top and bottom in case he gets out of bed in the middle of the night or slips away from you when you are upstairs
2007-02-15 09:01:51 · answer #10 · answered by mommy of two 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋